Abstract: Grinding is an important link in the process of mineral processing. This is because whether the useful minerals in the ore can fully dissociate the monomers and the particle size meets the sorting requirements have a decisive effect on the beneficiation index. Over the last two decades, the discrete element method (DEM) has become an important tool for understanding comminution fundamentals and providing theoretical guidance for the design, optimization, and operation of comminution devices. DEM is now widely used in industries where comminution is critical. The application of DEM in simulating fracture, breakage, crushing, milling and equipment wear has become increasingly extensive and complex, resulting in tremendous changes in the understanding of the grinding process. In this article, the application background of DEM in the field of grinding was introduced; the basic principles of two commonly used models in DEM, the Hertz-Mindlin contact model, and the bonding particle model, were explained. Subsequently, the application status of DEM in ball mills, stirring mills and self-mill/semi-automatic mills, and other three types of grinding equipment and parameter optimization research were summarized. Finally, it further pointed out the unique advantages of DEM in the field of grinding and its development direction.